Soviet air force scrap yard in Riga, Latvia
Discussion
Made a trip to visit friends even more enjoyable by dropping in to the "Riga aviation museum" which is located on the far side of the Riga international airport. It appears to be one old boys private stash, which he very kindly lets the public come and poke around.
On one hand its a shame that such an interesting collection is rotting without support from the Latvian authorities, but on the other, it's great to see all the parts and broken airframes lying around. In the days of "interactive museums" full of screens for the kids and very little hardware, this is about as far from that as possible and all the better for it!
I've always had a thing for Soviet stuff because they were so rare in Europe, and I got quite a few new types on this trip.
On to the good stuff!
The first thing you are confronted with is this row of four L-29 Delphins. These are Czech made jet trainers, the last time i saw one was going round the pylons at the Reno air races.
Next are three Antonov AN-2 Colt biplanes in various states of dismemberment. Most of the fabric on the wing surfaces has worn through, even on this best displayed unit. These are actually the biggest single engine biplane ever made and they are impressive beasts. Plenty of them still flying around the world, Though the only one I've ever seen was one year at Duxford.
I've seen a few of the Mil Mi-8/17/24 Hind family but never a Mi-24A with this unusual glass house. Looks undeniably rugged and Soviet and probably gave very good visibility.
A completely new type for me, the monster Mi-6 Hook.
At its launch by far and away the biggest helicopter ever built, it has a load capacity of 12,000kgs. The winglets support around 20% of its mass in flight.
This was the one that i was far and away most excited by. It's a Tupolev TU-22M Backfire. As far as i know this is the only one outside of Russia/Ukraine and it's a long range Nuclear bomber. Terrifyingly singular in design and really impressive. Never thought I'd get to see one.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/Ltv5wk1i[/url]
Next to it was another new type for me the MiG 25 Foxbat. Derivatives of these are still flying. It's worth a read on how these scared the West into building the F15/F16 generation. The fastest air-breathing aircraft of it's time.
Another great highlight was this Yakovlev Yak-28 Firebar/Brewer, At the time in 1960 the biggest fighter made, with advanced wing sweep and bicycle undercarraige. Used until 1992. Still looks like a space ship!
Well, as well as these, there were lots of MiG 23/27s, MiG 21s in all flavours, MiG29s, an SU-7, all kinds of transport and helicopters. A really cool way to spend a few hours! hope there was something of interest!
On one hand its a shame that such an interesting collection is rotting without support from the Latvian authorities, but on the other, it's great to see all the parts and broken airframes lying around. In the days of "interactive museums" full of screens for the kids and very little hardware, this is about as far from that as possible and all the better for it!
I've always had a thing for Soviet stuff because they were so rare in Europe, and I got quite a few new types on this trip.
On to the good stuff!
The first thing you are confronted with is this row of four L-29 Delphins. These are Czech made jet trainers, the last time i saw one was going round the pylons at the Reno air races.
Next are three Antonov AN-2 Colt biplanes in various states of dismemberment. Most of the fabric on the wing surfaces has worn through, even on this best displayed unit. These are actually the biggest single engine biplane ever made and they are impressive beasts. Plenty of them still flying around the world, Though the only one I've ever seen was one year at Duxford.
I've seen a few of the Mil Mi-8/17/24 Hind family but never a Mi-24A with this unusual glass house. Looks undeniably rugged and Soviet and probably gave very good visibility.
A completely new type for me, the monster Mi-6 Hook.
At its launch by far and away the biggest helicopter ever built, it has a load capacity of 12,000kgs. The winglets support around 20% of its mass in flight.
This was the one that i was far and away most excited by. It's a Tupolev TU-22M Backfire. As far as i know this is the only one outside of Russia/Ukraine and it's a long range Nuclear bomber. Terrifyingly singular in design and really impressive. Never thought I'd get to see one.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/Ltv5wk1i[/url]Next to it was another new type for me the MiG 25 Foxbat. Derivatives of these are still flying. It's worth a read on how these scared the West into building the F15/F16 generation. The fastest air-breathing aircraft of it's time.
Another great highlight was this Yakovlev Yak-28 Firebar/Brewer, At the time in 1960 the biggest fighter made, with advanced wing sweep and bicycle undercarraige. Used until 1992. Still looks like a space ship!
Well, as well as these, there were lots of MiG 23/27s, MiG 21s in all flavours, MiG29s, an SU-7, all kinds of transport and helicopters. A really cool way to spend a few hours! hope there was something of interest!
Excellent, thank you - if you fancy seeing the inside of the Mi-6, & the former presidential Yak 40, I recommend a trip here - https://muzeumsp.pl/
Simpo Two said:
I suspect the Foxbat inspired the Firefox of Clint Eastwood fame.
The one on the cover of the early editions of the book was very similar, the main difference being the wider fuselage. As I recall it was described in the book as a 'MiG-31', which, when the real one (the Foxhound) became public, was an evolution of the MiG-25.
RizzoTheRat said:
Wow, I've never even heard of the Yak-28, that's a bit of a beast.
I was lucky enough to see a Backfire at Farnborough many years ago, very loud display! Probably the same year the Yak 141 melted the runway
But you know what a Backfire is, and you've been to Farnborough, so you obviously know a fair bit about aircraft. I still find new aircraft I've never heard of too. It's amazing how many types there have been over the years. You mention the Yak 141, That's one i have never seen and is probably top of my list. I did have a plan to drive the Triumph up to Murmansk and see the aviation museum of the Northern Fleet, they have one there. But with world conditions as they are, I think that ain't gonna happen...would be an adventure though!I was lucky enough to see a Backfire at Farnborough many years ago, very loud display! Probably the same year the Yak 141 melted the runway
RammyMP said:
Wasn’t the MIG 25 the second fastest plane after the SR-71?
I had to double check that! Both first flew in 1964, but the MiGs first flight was in March, and the SR-71 was in December. However the SR-71 was based on the earlier A-12 which first flew in April 1962.
The MiG had some incredibly impressive records though, take off to 20,000 meters (not feet!) in less than three minutes!
Also in 1973 one set the recognized absolute altitude record for a jet aircraft under its own power, a ballistic arc to 37,650 metres. At its apex it was only travelling at 40kn. Bloomin brave, that.
Mabbs9 said:
Is this place adjoining the airport? I used to see a Backfire when we turned off the runway there, probably best part of 20yrs ago now.
I believe it used to be the same side as the terminal, but its located around the far side now, the collection had to be moved in a hurry, which may explain the random layout.
So much interesting stuff!
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